Aug 30, 2012

Eventorbot! Open source 3D printer. Simple with less materials. Frame is made of a single 4' long, 2 1/2" square tube (16 gauge/1.5mm/.0598" thick, cost: less then $20.00). With this design there is less plastic parts, stronger structure, all wires are hidden, and a more appealing/finish look.
The unit is supposed to resemble a robotic arm with hydraulic tubes. It was designed for prints to be less effected by vibrations. With the 1 solid frame, any vibrations of any axis will cause the other axis to move with it. For example: If the X axis causes a slight vibration/1mm movement to the right, the Z and Y axis will also move that 1mm to the right. This will result in a better print as everything will remain squared.

Aug 22, 2012

There is an initiative for crowd-funding open source 3d printed .22 caliber weapons under the name Defense Distirbuted . It aims to develop singe disposable use small caliber pistol for personal defense.
This project will certainly bring out interesting debates in both open source and 3d printing community and get under spot light of mainstream media and law.
UPDATE: project promoters tried to get funding trough Indiegogo, but Indiegogo canceled their campaign.
UPDATE2: they received 20000$ in bitcoin, leased the 3d printer but the company canceled their lease. http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/10/3d-gun-blocked/

Similar concept was used in World War II with FP-45 Liberator mass produced single shot pistol which was simple and cheep to produce and was used by resistance movements.

What do you think?

EDIT:
This blog is in no way affiliated with people who work on this project, and does not support the idea. Information presented here is just news related to the development of 3d printing technology applications. Don't try this yourself, it is dangerous.

Aug 11, 2012

Clone wars have just begun! TangiBot is 100% compatible Makerbot Replicator clone for 2/3 of the price. We will see how will Makerbot react to this, by launching nuclear lawyer strike or staying true to their Open Source roots.

Aug 8, 2012

It looks like powder 3d printing for your home manufacturing is getting closer with open source Pwdr. It will enable whole new range of possible printed models. Still in early development stages, but technology is advancing ...

Pwdr is an open source powder-based rapid prototyping machine. Its goal
is to promote experiments and innovations in powder-based
rapid-prototyping. The machine is ready to use both the 3DP as the SLS
process with minimal adaption, although the printer is currently prepped
for 3DP.

Hardware
The Pwdr Model 0.1 consists of chassis, tool head and electronics. The
printer entirely consists of off-the-shelf components. It has a simple
design and can be built within a couple of hours. The machine is easy
and affordable to build and modify. Building a Pwdr Model 0.1 machine
costs about €1000,-.

Software
The accompanying software for the Pwdr Model 0.1 converts the CAD model
in a printable format. This file is then uploaded to the Pwdr Model 0.1
micro-controller. The machine is controlled by easy-to-use software that
allow full control of the printing process.The Pwdr Model 0.1 software
has been based on open source tools like Arduino and Processing.

Materials
A whole new range of materials become available for experimenting with
open-source rapid-prototyping; for example, when using the 3DP process:
gypsum, ceramics, concrete, sugar, etc. And when the SLS process is
fully supported, plastic materials like ABS, PP, Nylon and metals become
available as building material.A Hewlett Packard inkjet cartridge is
used for the deposition of binder. The cartridge can be refilled with
custom binders using a syringe. A custom binder of 20% alcohol and 80%
water has been proven to work.